Human settlements committee to consider Redhouse fish farm proposal

Nelson Mandela Bay’s Human Settlements Committee will consider an application at its next meeting for the purchase of land at Amsterdamhoek Road, Redhouse which will be used to “farm with fish”.

The Human Settlements Directorate is recommending that the application should be turned down.

The directorate states in its report to the committee that one of the erven under consideration is zoned Public Open Space and measures 1 299 square metres.

The other is zoned for Industrial 2 purposes and measures approximately 2 818 square metres.

In its report to the committee, Spatial Planning says that the proposal includes seven ponds measuring seven by three metres on one erf which is situated on the corner of the Old Grahamstown Road and Amsterdamhoek Road.

The applicant also proposes to build a water pump and generator on the second erf.

Spatial Planning says that the proposal also entails two water pipes that will run across Amsterdamhoek Road, one to discharge water into the river and the other to bring in fresh water, adding that the proposed use is “typically desirable in industrial areas”.

However, it points out, the two erven are situated “in close proximity to residential erven along Amsterdamhoek Road adding that there are also no properties with business or industrial use in the area.

“The proposed use will have a negative impact on the residential amenity in the area.”

Spatial Planning says that as a result of this it does not support the application to purchase the land and use it as a fish farm “as the location is not considered desirable/suitable”.

In addition, it states, the land is also required to provide the necessary basic municipal services and therefore cannot be sold. - metrominutes